'Jaiswal's remark shows PM's position untenable'

BJP today attacked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, saying his position is "untenable" as reflected in the statement of his cabinet colleague that he can be replaced overnight if the Gandhi family decides.|

BJP today attacked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, saying his position is "untenable" as reflected in the statement of his cabinet colleague that he can be replaced overnight if the Gandhi family decides.|

"One can understand how untenable the position of the prime minister has become from the fact that his own minister has said he can be replaced overnight," leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said.

He was addressing a rally of BJP booth level workers here at Ramlila grounds.

Jaitley was referring to Union minister Sriprakash Jaiswal's statement at a public rally in Mathura on February 25 that Rahul Gandhi can become prime minister overnight by replacing Singh if he so wishes but he does not want to be PM.

"Rahul Gandhi can become Prime Minister at 12 tonight, he can administer the oath of office and no one can stop that. But neither does he want to become the Prime Minister nor the chief minister," Jaiswal had said.

Jaitley said the Central government is unable to give direction and leadership to the country.

"There is an anti-Congress wave throughout the country. This will become clear on March 6 when the results of the Assembly elections come out. Corruption is at its peak. Congress has ended the credibility of the central government," he said, asking BJP to make the most of this opportunity to take on the government.